For many Penguins fans, Mike Lange was the reason why they started watching hockey. Tonight, we learned that the legendary broadcaster passed away at age 76.
Lange started calling Penguins games on the radio all the way back in 1974 and eventually started calling games on TV in 1979. He called his final Penguins game in 2021 on WXDX Radio. That's parts of 47 years of being the voice of the Penguins.
Mike Lange's voice stood the test of time as a broadcaster. It was so iconic - so much so that his voice is still played after every Penguins home win, reminding you that "Elvis has just left the building."
Hockey broadcasters are the most impressive broadcasters to me. I'm a baseball broadcaster, and while baseball has time to flesh out stories and talk about smaller details, hockey is the fastest major sport by a landslide.
Lange was so good at not just articulating exactly what was happening on the ice, but also adding in his own flair and "Lange-isms" that he developed over time. He always had a good one ready whenever a goal was scored.
Broadcasters have one job: make moments memorable. While I started listening at the end of Lange's broadcasting career, my dad and grandfather each had their favorite Mike Lange moments and made sure I was well aware of how great he was when I was a young Penguins fan.
Pittsburgh has been incredibly blessed with so many legendary broadcasters over the years. Lange will be sorely missed by Penguins fans and the entire city of Pittsburgh.
Keep an eye out for an article with some of his best calls that will come out soon.
He might be gone, but it will forever be a "Hockey Night in Pittsburgh" thanks to Mike Lange.